PS B&W conversion

[Granagringa]

I am just trying to learn PS and have now seen 7 different ways to convert an image to B&W. Just wondering what you folks have found to be the way to go for this. And if you can refer me to an appropriate tutorial, I will be forever grateful. Thanks.

[CristinaL]

I don’t use Photoshop, per se. I’ve tried to use Lightroom but very quickly got overwhelmed, so thought it best not to even attempt Photoshop. However, I did find an app called Photoshop Express which is very intuitive and has the advantage of not being expensive (free, if you just want to use basic functionality, which includes BW conversions). Also, I use my iPad quite a bit, and I can use the app there. Hope this helps!

[kali]

try the links i put here with this get pushed challenge i did last week

[Diana]

@kali66 I too would be interested as I am just starting PS as well. I cannot find your links Kali ;-)

[kali]

@ludwigsdiana click on the photo Diana, the links are in the description

[Shanne]

@kali66 - lol, it is amusing me that the Get Pushed challenge is bearing fruit.

I learned through one of the early Flash of Red February way back when in 2014, following a book - it was called a book challenge then. I am going to link to all the links (which I can find from my project) as there is a lot of discussion following on the threads.
This is the link to the introduction and week 1: http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/20886/bw-book-club-week-1-feb-1-2.
week 2: B&W as normality http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/20950/bw-book-club-week-2-feb-3-9
week 3: elements in visual design http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/21068/bw-book-club-week-3-feb-10-16
week 4: creative choices in exposure http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/21184/bw-book-club-week-4-feb-17-23
week 5: putting it all together http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/21304/bw-bc-week-5-feb-24-28

[FBailey]

I use PS Elements and downloaded the free Nik filters: https://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/photography/google-nik... I use the Silver Efex filter all the time for mono shots and cannot rate it highly enough. The Color Efex filters too are very good btw:)

[FBailey]

Apologies, that link doesn't work. If you Google 'free Nik filter downloads' you should get all the information you need, plus YouTube tutorials on how to use same.

[Diana]

@kali66 Lol, how stupid can I be? I did not think of tht, thanks :-)

[kali]

@fbailey the latest version of NIK is not free since Google sold it on. , last time i looked i couldnt find anywhere to download the older version , new version is here as a 30 day trial https://nikcollection.dxo.com/download/ $69 US for full version.

[FBailey]

@kali66 Whoops, didn't realise that. I would buy it if I had to, I rate it that highly.

[Larry L]

I've used the B&W Filter from Topaz for a couple of years, as a plug-in to Photoshop Elements. I like it a lot. It's not free, though. I checked their web site, $59.99 US

[Granagringa]

@lsquared @fbailey @kali66 @fbailey @shannejw @cristinaledesma33 Thanks all for the info and the links. I do have NikEfex downloaded but haven't figured out yet how to access it. Another step....well I can see what I'll be doing for awhile!!! Again. Big TY

[Joan Robillard]

My favorite way to get a BW is to use Silver Efex or one of the actions I got from a scrapbooking class so sorry can't add to the discussion.